Forty Years Later, CAR Postpones Local Elections Yet Again
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Voters wait outside a registration center in Bangui as officials prepare for long-delayed local elections.
Forty Years Later, CAR Postpones Local Elections Yet Again
Local and municipal elections in the Central African Republic (CAR) have been postponed once more — nearly four decades since they were last held. Originally scheduled for August 2025, authorities in CAR Postpones Local Elections have announced that the vote will now be delayed until December, when it will be held alongside legislative and presidential elections.
The decision adds to growing concerns over the country’s fragile democratic process, raising questions about transparency, funding, and political will.
Funding and Technical Delays
Officials cited a delay in mobilizing funds and technical challenges as the primary reasons for the postponement. The country recently launched a biometric voter registration initiative to modernize the electoral roll, but logistical bottlenecks have slowed progress.
The postponement comes amid heightened political tensions. Members of the opposition coalition BRDC are demanding a complete overhaul of the electoral authority, accusing it of bias and incompetence. They also called for an urgent dialogue with President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, who has been in office since 2016 and was re-elected under controversial circumstances in 2020.
“This is more than a scheduling issue,” said one BRDC spokesperson. “It’s a question of political transparency and basic democratic rights.”
A History of Conflict and Delay
The local elections, originally due to take place in 1988, have been repeatedly delayed by political instability, budgetary constraints, and civil conflict.
The CAR has struggled with armed insurgencies and sectarian violence since 2013, when a predominantly Muslim rebel coalition known as Séléka ousted then-president François Bozizé. That coup triggered years of bloodshed, leading to the rise of anti-Balaka militias and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people.
Although the country has since held presidential and parliamentary elections, local and municipal governance structures remain outdated or absent in many regions. In some rural areas, traditional chiefs and militias have stepped into governance roles by default, creating a patchwork of authority and weakening national cohesion.
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The United Nations has called the upcoming local vote a “crucial opportunity” to promote national reconciliation, rebuild trust in institutions, and decentralize power in a country long dominated by the central government in Bangui.
Touadéra Under Scrutiny
President Touadéra, now serving his third term after a 2023 constitutional referendum removed term limits, has drawn criticism for what opponents say is the centralization of power and the weakening of democratic checks and balances. His government remains heavily reliant on Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group for security support, further complicating the country’s internal politics and its relationship with international partners.
Civil society organizations have warned that continued delays and the lack of local representation are undermining the legitimacy of the state. “People in rural communities feel abandoned,” said a Bangui-based human rights advocate. “Without functioning local councils, there is no real mechanism for communities to voice their concerns.”
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The Stakes for December
December’s elections are shaping up to be a major political flashpoint. Not only will voters choose their next president and parliament, but the long-overdue local government positions — including mayors, municipal councilors, and local administrators — will finally be contested.
Analysts say holding all three elections simultaneously could be logistically overwhelming, especially in regions plagued by insecurity, poor infrastructure, and low voter awareness.
Still, the hope is that if the vote proceeds fairly, it could provide a foundation for grassroots governance, helping communities access basic services and contribute to national stability.
CAR remains one of the poorest nations on Earth, despite its vast natural resources. Rich in diamonds, gold, uranium, and oil, the country continues to grapple with poverty, hunger, and a lack of investment, issues that are compounded by weak governance.
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